Pluggable optical module and optical communication system

ABSTRACT

A pluggable optical connector is configured to be insertable into and removable from an optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communication apparatus. A wavelength-tunable light source is configured to output an output light and a local oscillation light. An optical transmission unit is configured to output an optical signal generated by modulating the output light in response to the modulation signal. An optical reception unit is configured to demodulate an optical signal received by using the local oscillation light to the data signal. Pluggable optical receptors are configured in such a manner that an optical fiber is insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptors, and configured to be capable of outputting the optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring the optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the optical reception unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/740,231, filed on Dec. 27, 2017, which is a National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2016/002735, filed on Jun. 7, 2016,claiming priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-137821filed Jul. 9, 2015, the contents of all of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pluggable optical module and anoptical communication system.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, due to rapid increase in communication traffic,expansion of transmission capacity has been needed. In response to this,a speed and capacity of an optical network system have been progressed.Thus, miniaturization and speed-up of an optical module, which is a keydevice of the optical network system, is required.

Digital coherent communication that performs multi-level phasemodulation of an optical signal has become general as a method forachieving large capacity of an optical communication system. Even in thedigital coherent communication, the miniaturization and speed-up of theoptical module are also required.

In general, a digital coherent transceiver used for the digital coherentcommunication includes both of an optical signal transmission functionand an optical signal reception function. In this case, awavelength-tunable light source, which outputs a light modulated togenerate an optical signal by an optical modulator in the optical signaltransmission function, and a wavelength-tunable light source, whichoutputs a local oscillation light used for detecting an optical signalin the optical signal reception function, are needed (e.g. PatentLiteratures 1 and 2).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication No. 2009-278015-   [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication No. 2009-194025

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the inventor has found that the above-described digitalcoherent transceiver includes some problems described below. In theabove-described digital coherent transceiver, two wavelength-tunablelight sources are needed so that it is necessary to secure space formounting the two wavelength-tunable light sources. As a result, it isdifficult to miniaturize the digital coherent transceiver.

In a pluggable optical module used for the digital coherentcommunication, it is also necessary to mount a plurality of opticalcomponents such as a transmission optical module, a reception opticalmodule, the wavelength-tunable light sources, an input/output interface,and the like. Meanwhile, since the miniaturization is required asdescribed below, mounting the two wavelength-tunable light sourceshinders the realization of miniaturization.

The present invention has been made in view of the aforementionedcircumstances and aims to achieve a compact pluggable optical moduleused for digital coherent communication.

Solution to Problem

An aspect of the present invention is a pluggable optical moduleincluding: a pluggable optical connector configured to be insertableinto and removable from an optical communication apparatus, and to becapable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with theoptical communication apparatus; a wavelength-tunable light sourceconfigured to output an output light and a local oscillation light thathave a predetermined wavelength; an optical transmission unit configuredto output a first optical signal generated by modulating the outputlight in response to the modulation signal; an optical reception unitconfigured to demodulate a second optical signal received by using thelocal oscillation light to the data signal and output the demodulateddata signal; and an pluggable optical receptor configured in such amanner that an optical fiber is insertable into and removable from thepluggable optical receptor, and configured to be capable of outputtingthe first optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring thesecond optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the opticalreception unit.

An aspect of the present invention is an optical communication systemcomprising: an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical signal; apluggable optical module configured to output a first optical signal tothe optical fiber and receive a second optical signal through theoptical fiber, the optical fiber being insertable into and removablefrom the pluggable optical module; and an optical communicationapparatus configured in such a manner that the pluggable optical moduleis insertable into and removable from the optical communicationapparatus, in which the pluggable optical module comprises: a pluggableoptical connector configured to be insertable into and removable fromthe optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicatinga modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communicationapparatus; a wavelength-tunable light source configured to output anoutput light and a local oscillation light that have a predeterminedwavelength; an optical transmission unit configured to output the firstoptical signal generated by modulating the output light in response tothe modulation signal; an optical reception unit configured todemodulate the second optical signal received by using the localoscillation light to the data signal and output the demodulated datasignal; and an pluggable optical receptor configured in such a mannerthat the optical fiber is insertable into and removable from thepluggable optical receptor, and configured to be capable of outputtingthe first optical signal to the optical fiber and transferring thesecond optical signal received thorough the optical fiber to the opticalreception unit.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a compactpluggable optical module used for digital coherent communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofa pluggable optical module according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mainpart of an optical communication system in which the pluggable opticalmodule according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of awavelength-tunable light source according to the first exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofan optical transmission unit according to the first exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of anoptical reception unit according to the first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pluggable optical module accordingto the first exemplary embodiment observed from a side of an externaloptical fiber;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pluggable optical module accordingto the first exemplary embodiment observed from a side of an opticalcommunication apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofa pluggable optical module according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofa pluggable optical module according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wavelength-tunablelight source according to a fourth exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wavelength-tunablelight source according to the fourth exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofan optical transmission unit 70 according to a fifth exemplaryembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the drawings. The same components are denoted by thesame reference numerals throughout the drawings, and a repeatedexplanation is omitted as needed.

First Exemplary Embodiment

A pluggable optical module 100 according to a first exemplary embodimentwill be described.

The pluggable optical module 100 is configured to be capable ofperforming digital coherent optical communication with an externalcommunication apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematicallyillustrating a configuration of the pluggable optical module 100according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagramillustrating a configuration example of a main part of an opticalcommunication system 1000 in which the pluggable optical module 100according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pluggable optical module 100 is configuredin such a manner that connectors of an optical fiber with connector 91and an optical fiber with connector 92 are insertable into and removablefrom the pluggable optical module 100. An LC connector and MU connectorcan be used as the connectors of the optical fiber with connector 91 andthe optical fiber with connector 92. The pluggable optical module 100 iscontrolled based on a control signal CON input from an opticalcommunication apparatus 93 that is a communication host. The pluggableoptical module 100 can also receive a modulation signal MOD that is adata signal from the optical communication apparatus 93 with the controlsignal CON. In this case, the pluggable optical module 100 can output anoptical signal LS1 (also referred to as a first optical signal), whichis modulated based on the received modulation signal MOD, through theoptical fiber 91. The pluggable optical module 100 can also output adata signal DAT corresponding to an optical signal LS2 (also referred toas a second optical signal), which is received from the outside throughthe optical fiber 92, to the optical communication apparatus 93. Forexample, the optical communication apparatus 93 performs communicationsignal processing such as framing processing of a communication datasignal from the pluggable optical module 100 or a communication datasignal input to the pluggable optical module 100.

The pluggable optical module 100 includes a pluggable electric connector11, an optical transmission unit 12, an optical reception unit 13, awavelength-tunable light source 14, and pluggable optical receptors 15Aand 15B.

The pluggable electric connector 11 is configured to be insertable intoand removable from the optical communication apparatus 93. The pluggableelectric connector 11 is configured to be capable of receiving thecontrol signal CON that is an electric signal output from the opticalcommunication apparatus 93 and transferring a predetermined controlsignal to a part or all of the optical transmission unit 12, the opticalreception unit 13, and the wavelength-tunable light source. Thepluggable electric connector 11 receives the modulation signal MOD thatis an electric signal output from the optical communication apparatus 93and transfers the modulation signal MOD to the optical transmission unit12. The pluggable electric connector 11 transfers the data signal DAToutput from the optical reception unit 13 to the optical communicationapparatus 93.

The wavelength-tunable light source 14 is configured as awavelength-tunable optical module that outputs a light having awavelength determined in response to the control signal CON, forexample. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which a control signal CON1based on the control signal CON is input to the wavelength-tunable lightsource 14. A configuration example of the wavelength-tunable lightsource 14 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating theconfiguration example of the wavelength-tunable light source 14according to the first exemplary embodiment. The wavelength-tunablelight source 14 includes a carrier 1, an optical output unit 2, anoptical branching unit 3, and condenser lenses 4 and 5. The opticaloutput unit 2 and the optical branching unit 3 are mounted or formed onthe carrier 1.

The optical output unit 2 is configured as a PLC (Planer LightwaveCircuit) that includes an optical waveguide made of quartz, silicon, orthe like. The optical output unit 2 includes a semiconductor opticalamplifier (referred to as a SOA hereinafter) 2A and a wavelength filter2B. The SOA 2A is an active optical device that outputs a CW (ContinuousWave) light, and is, for example, a semiconductor laser diode. Thewavelength filter 2B is configured, for example, as an externalresonator that includes a plurality of ring resonators, a loop mirror,electrodes for applying voltages to the ring resonators, and the like.The SOA 2A and the wavelength filter 2B is arranged in such a mannerthat waveguides of those are aligned.

The light emitted from the SOA 2A is incident on the wavelength filter2B. The light incident on the wavelength filter 2B is transmittedthrough ring resonators and reflected by the loop mirror, and isincident on the SOA 2A. Because diameters of a plurality of ringresonators are slightly different from each other, a wavelength at whichpeaks of the ring resonators coincide with each other is only one in awavelength-tunable range. Therefore, a resonance occurs at thewavelength selected by the ring resonators between the loop mirror andthe SOA 2A, and, as a result, the optical output unit 2 performs laseroscillation. The laser light output from the SOA 2A is incident on theoptical branching unit 3 as a light L1.

In the wavelength filter 2B, an effective refractive index of the ringresonator can be changed by applying the voltage to the electrodedisposed on the ring resonator. Therefore, an optical length of the ringresonator can be changed. Thus, by applying the voltage to theelectrode, a wavelength of the light L1 output from the optical outputunit 2 can be changed. In sum, the optical output unit 2 can function asa wavelength-tunable laser.

The optical branching unit 3 includes a collimator lens 3A, an isolator3B, a prism 3C, and a mirror 3D. The collimator lens 3A converts thelight L1 output from the optical output unit 2 to a parallel light. Theisolator 3B is disposed to prevent a returned light. Thus, the isolator3B is configured to transmit a light incident from a side of the opticaloutput unit 2 and not to transmit a light incident from the oppositeside. The light (the parallel light) transmitted through the isolator 3Bis branched into an output light L2 and a local oscillation light LO bythe prism 3C. The output light L2 transmitted through the prism 3C isemitted through the condenser lens 4. An optical fiber 4A connectsbetween the condenser lens 4 and the optical transmission unit 12, forexample, and the output light L2 is incident on the optical transmissionunit 12 through the optical fiber 4A. The local oscillation light LOreflected by the prism 3C is emitted through the condenser lens 5. Anoptical fiber 5A connects between the condenser lens 5 and the opticalreception unit 13, for example, and the local oscillation light LO isincident on the optical reception unit 13 through the optical fiber 5A.

Returning to FIG. 1, the optical transmission unit 12 will be described.The optical transmission unit 12 modulates the output light L2 inputfrom the wavelength-tunable light source 14 based on the modulationsignal MOD input from the optical communication apparatus 93 through thepluggable electric connector 11, and outputs the modulated light as theoptical signal LS1. Here, the optical transmission unit 12 is controlledbased on the control signal CON input from the optical communicationapparatus 93 through the pluggable electric connector 11. FIG. 2illustrates an example in which a control signal CON2 based on thecontrol signal CON is input to the optical transmission unit 12.Therefore, the optical transmission unit 12 can perform appropriatemodulation operation according to the wavelength of the output light L2.

The optical transmission unit 12 includes, for example, a Mach-Zehndertype optical modulator. The Mach-Zehnder type optical modulatormodulates the output light L2 with a predetermined modulation method tooutput the optical signal LS1. The optical transmission unit 12modulates the output light L2 by applying a signal according to themodulation signal MOD to phase modulation areas formed on opticalwaveguides of the Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator. The opticaltransmission unit 12 can modulate the output light L2 with variousmodulation methods such as phase modulation, amplitude modulation andpolarization modulation, or a combination of the various modulationmethods. Here, for example, the Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator is asemiconductor optical modulator or another optical modulator.

Here, the phase modulation area is an area that includes an electrodeformed on the optical waveguide. An effective refractive index of theoptical waveguide below the electrode is changed by applying an electricsignal, e.g. a voltage signal, to the electrode. As a result, asubstantial optical length of the optical waveguide in the phasemodulation area can be changed. Thus, the phase modulation area canchange a phase of the optical signal propagating through the opticalwaveguide. Then, the optical signal can be modulated by providing aphase difference between the optical signals propagating through twooptical waveguides.

A configuration example of the optical transmission unit 12 will bedescribed. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating aconfiguration of the optical transmission unit 12 according to the firstexemplary embodiment. The optical transmission unit 12 is configured asa general Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator. The optical transmissionunit 12 includes an optical modulator 12A and a driver circuit 12B.

The optical modulator 12A modulates the output light L2 output from thewavelength-tunable light source 14 to output the optical signal LS1. Theoptical modulator 12A includes optical waveguides WG1 to WG4, and phasemodulation areas PMA and PMB. The output light L2 output from thewavelength-tunable light source 14 is input to one end of the opticalwaveguide WG1. The other end of the optical waveguide WG1 is opticallyconnected with one end of the optical waveguide WG2 and one end of theoptical waveguide WG3. Thus, a light propagating through the opticalwaveguide WG1 is branched toward the optical waveguide WG2 and theoptical waveguide WG3. The other end of the optical waveguide WG2 andthe other end of the optical waveguide WG3 are connected with one end ofthe optical waveguide WG4. On the optical waveguide WG2, the phasemodulation area PMA that changes a phase of a light propagating throughthe optical waveguide WG2 is disposed. On the optical waveguide WG3, thephase modulation area PMB that changes a phase of a light propagatingthrough the optical waveguide WG3 is disposed. The optical signal LS1 isoutput from the other end of the optical waveguide WG4.

The driver circuit 12B can control a modulation operation of the opticalmodulator 12A. The driver circuit 12B can also control a bias point ofthe optical modulator 12A by applying a bias voltage VBIAS to one orboth of the phase modulation areas PMA and PMB in response to thecontrol signal CON2. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the driver circuit12B applies the bias voltage to the phase modulation areas PMA and PMB.The driver circuit 12B can also modulate the output light L2 to theoptical signal LS1 by applying the signal according to the modulationsignal MOD to one or both of the phase modulation areas PMA and PMB. Inthis example, the driver circuit 12B applies a modulation signal SIG_M1in according to the modulation signal MOD to the phase modulation areaPMA. The driver circuit 12B applies a modulation signal SIG_M2 accordingto the modulation signal MOD to the phase modulation area PMB.

Although not illustrated, the optical transmission unit 12 may includean optical power adjustment unit. The optical power adjustment unit mayadjust power of the optical signal LS1 by attenuating or blocking theoptical signal LS1 output from the optical transmission unit 12. Theoptical power adjustment unit may adjust the power of the optical signalLS1 in response to the control signal CON or a control signal other thanthe control signal CON input from the optical communication apparatus 93through the pluggable electric connector 11. For example, an opticalattenuator may be used as the optical power adjustment unit.

The optical reception unit 13 demodulates the optical signal LS2received from the outside through the optical fiber 92 by causing theoptical signal LS2 to interfere with the local oscillation light LOoutput from the wavelength-tunable light source 14. The opticalreception unit 13 outputs the data signal DAT that is a demodulatedelectric signal to the optical communication apparatus 93 through thepluggable electric connector 11. In this case, the optical receptionunit 13 is controlled based on the control signal CON input from theoptical communication apparatus 93 through pluggable electric connector11. FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which a control signal CON3 basedon the control signal CON is input to the optical reception unit 13.Therefore, the optical reception unit 13 can perform an appropriatedemodulation operation according to the wavelength of the localoscillation light LO (or the output light LS2).

The optical reception unit 13 is, for example, a reception unitperforming digital coherent reception for demodulating a DP-QPSK(Dual-Polarization Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying) optical signal to anelectric signal. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configurationexample of the optical reception unit 13 according to the firstexemplary embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the optical receptionunit 13 includes a polarization beam splitter (referred to as a PBShereinafter) 31, a PBS32, 90-degree hybrids 33 and 34,optical/electrical converters (referred to as O/Es hereinafter) 41 to44, analog to digital converters (referred to as ADCs hereinafter) 51 to54, a digital signal processor (referred to as a DSP hereinafter) 35.

The optical signal LS2 (e.g. the DP-QPSK optical signal) is input to thePBS 31 through the pluggable optical receptor 15B. The PBS 31 splits theinput optical signal LS2 into two polarized components orthogonal toeach other. Specifically, the PBS 31 splits the optical signal LS2 intoan x-polarized component x_(in) and a y-polarized component Y_(in)orthogonal to each other. The x-polarized component x_(in) is input tothe 90-degree hybrid 33 and the y-polarized component y_(in) is input tothe 90-degree hybrid 34.

The local oscillation light LO is input to the PBS 32 from thewavelength-tunable light source 14. In the present exemplary embodiment,the PBS 32 splits the local oscillation light LO into two polarizedcomponents orthogonal to each other (an x-polarized component LO_(x) anda y-polarized component LO_(y)). The x-polarized component LO_(x) of thelocal oscillation light is input to the 90-degree hybrid 33 and they-polarized component LO_(y) of the local oscillation light is input tothe 90-degree hybrid 34.

The 90-degree hybrid 33 performs a detection by causing the x-polarizedcomponent LO_(x) of the local oscillation light and the x-polarizedcomponent x_(in) to interfere with each other, and outputs an I(in-phase) component (referred to as an x_(in)-I component) and Q(quadrature-phase) component (referred to as an x_(in)-Q component)whose phase is different from that of the I component by 90 degrees asdetected lights. The 90-degree hybrid 34 performs a detection by causingthe y-polarized component LO_(y) of the local oscillation light and they-polarized component y_(in) to interfere with each other, and outputsan I component (referred to as a y_(in)-I component) and Q component(referred to as a y_(in)-Q component) as detected lights.

The optical/electrical converters 41 to 44 photoelectrically convert thefour optical signals (the x_(in)-I component, the x_(in)-Q component,the y_(in)-I component and the y_(in)-Q component) output from the90-degree hybrids 33 and 34, respectively. Then the optical/electricalconverters 41 to 44 output analog electric signals generated by theoptical/electrical conversions to the ADCs 51 to 54, respectively.Specifically, the optical/electrical converter 41 photoelectricallyconverts the x_(in)-I component and outputs the generated analogelectric signal to the ADC 51. The optical/electrical converter 42photoelectrically converts the x_(in)-Q component and outputs thegenerated analog electric signal to the ADC 52. The optical/electricalconverter 43 photoelectrically converts the y_(in)-I component andoutputs the generated analog electric signal to the ADC 53. Theoptical/electrical converter 44 photoelectrically converts the y_(in)-Qcomponent and outputs the generated analog electric signal to the ADC54.

The ADCs 51 to 54 convert the analog electric signals output from theoptical/electrical converters 41 to 44 into digital signals and outputthe converted digital signals to the DSP 35, respectively.

The DSP 35 performs predetermined polarization separation digital signalprocessing on the input digital signals and outputs the data signal DATincluding the demodulated signal. The data signal DAT is output to theexternal optical communication apparatus 93 through the pluggableelectric connector 11.

The pluggable optical receptor 15A is configured in such a manner thatthe connector of the external optical fiber 91 with connector isinsertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptor 15A.The optical signal LS1 output from the optical transmission unit 12 isoutput to the optical fiber 91 through the pluggable optical receptor15A. The pluggable optical receptor 15B is configured in such a mannerthat the connector of the external optical fiber 92 with connector isinsertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptor 15B.The optical signal LS2 propagating through the optical fiber 92 from theoutside is input to the optical reception unit 13 through the pluggableoptical receptor 15B. Here, although the pluggable optical receptor 15Aand the pluggable optical receptor 15B are disposed separately, itshould be appreciated that the pluggable optical receptor 15A and thepluggable optical receptor 15B may be configured as a combined singlepluggable optical receptor.

An appearance of the wavelength-tunable pluggable optical module 100will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pluggable opticalmodule 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment observed from aside of the optical fibers 91 and 92. A numerical sign 61 illustrated inFIG. 6 indicates an upper surface of the pluggable optical module 100. Anumerical sign 62 illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates insertion ports of thepluggable optical receptors 15A and 15B, which a connector of theoptical fiber is inserted into. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of thepluggable optical module 100 according to the first exemplary embodimentobserved from a side of the optical communication apparatus 93. Anumerical sign 63 illustrated in FIG. 7 indicates a lower surface of thepluggable optical module 100. A numerical sign 64 illustrated in FIG. 7indicates a connection part of the pluggable electric connector 11,which is connected with the optical communication apparatus 93.

As described above, according to the present configuration, in thepluggable optical module used for the digital coherent communication, bydisposing only one wavelength-tunable light source, it is possible toprovide the light to be modulated to the optical transmission unit andprovide the local oscillation light used for detecting the opticalsignal received by the optical reception unit. In sum, it is unnecessaryto separately dispose a light source for providing the light to bemodulated by the optical transmission unit and a light source forproviding the local oscillation light used for detecting the opticalsignal received by the optical reception unit.

Thus, according to the present configuration, it is possible to achieveminiaturization of the pluggable optical module used for the digitalcoherent communication. Additionally, it is possible to decrease thenumber of the wavelength-tunable light sources and thereby decrease amanufacturing cost.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a pluggable optical module 200 according to a second exemplaryembodiment will be described. The pluggable optical module 200 is amodified example of the pluggable optical module 100 according to thefirst exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematicallyillustrating a configuration of the pluggable optical module 200according to the second exemplary embodiment. The pluggable opticalmodule 200 has a configuration in which the optical transmission unit 12of the pluggable optical module 100 is replaced with an opticaltransmission unit 17 and a control unit 16 is added. Because otherconfigurations of the pluggable optical module 200 are the same as thoseof the pluggable optical module 100, descriptions of those will beomitted.

The control unit 16 controls operations of the wavelength-tunable lightsource 14, optical transmission unit 17, and the optical reception unit13 based on the control signal CON input from the optical communicationapparatus 93 through the pluggable electric connector 11. Specifically,the control unit 16 generates control signals CON1 to CON4 based on thecontrol signal CON. The control signal CON1 is output to thewavelength-tunable light source 14, in the same manner as the pluggableoptical module 100. The control signals CON2 and CON4 are output to theoptical transmission unit 17. The control signal CON3 is output to theoptical reception unit 13, in the same manner as the pluggable opticalmodule 100.

The optical transmission unit 17 will be described. The opticaltransmission unit 17 includes an optical modulation unit 17A and anoptical power adjustment unit 17B. Because the optical modulation unit17A has the same configuration as the optical transmission unit 12 ofthe pluggable optical module 100, a description of that will be omitted.

The optical power adjustment unit 17B adjusts the power of the opticalsignal LS1 in response to the control signal CON4 output from thecontrol unit 16. For example, the optical power adjustment unit 17B canadjust the power of the optical signal LS1 by attenuating or blockingthe optical signal LS1 output from the optical modulation unit 17A. Forexample, an optical attenuator can be used as the optical poweradjustment unit 17B.

As described above, according to the present configuration, it ispossible to easily adjust the power of the optical signal to be outputby disposing the optical power adjustment unit in the opticaltransmission unit. Further, in the present configuration, the controlunit can specifically control each component (the wavelength-tunablelight source, the optical transmission unit, and the optical receptionunit) in the pluggable optical module 200 according to purpose of use.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a pluggable optical module 300 according to a third exemplaryembodiment will be described. The pluggable optical module 300 is amodified example of the pluggable optical module 100 according to thethird exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematicallyillustrating a configuration of the pluggable optical module 300according to the third exemplary embodiment. The pluggable opticalmodule 300 has a configuration in which the wavelength-tunable lightsource 14 and the optical transmission unit 12 of the pluggable opticalmodule 100 are integrated into an optical transmission unit 18 and anoptical power adjustment unit 19 is added. Because other configurationsof the pluggable optical module 300 are the same as those of thepluggable optical module 100, descriptions of those will be omitted.

The optical transmission unit 18 will be described. The opticaltransmission unit 18 includes the wavelength-tunable light source 14 andan optical modulation unit 6. The optical output unit 2, the opticalbranching unit 3, and the optical modulation unit 6 are mounted orformed on the carrier 1, for example, just like the wavelength-tunablelight source 14. For simplification of the drawing, the carrier 1 isomitted in FIG. 9. Because the optical modulation unit 6 is the same asthe optical transmission unit 12 described above, a description of thatwill be omitted. As described above, it can be understood that thepluggable optical module 300 has a configuration in which the functionsof the wavelength-tunable light source 14 and the optical transmissionunit 12 in the pluggable optical module 100 are integrated into thesingle optical transmission unit 18 (it may be also understood as anoptical modulation module).

The optical power adjustment unit 19 is the same as the optical poweradjustment unit 17B described above, a description of that will beomitted.

As described above, according to the present configuration, the opticaloutput unit, the optical branching unit, and the optical modulation unit(i.e. the optical transmission unit) can be integrated into a singledevice. As a result, the wavelength-tunable light source and the opticaltransmission unit can be configured as a single optical modulationmodule. Especially, when the optical output unit, the optical branchingunit, and the optical modulation unit are manufactured as asemiconductor device, a manufacturing cost of an integrated opticalmodulation module can be reduced because a common process can beapplied.

In this case, the integrated optical modulation module can be configuredusing quartz, semiconductor (e.g. silicon, compound semiconductor suchas InP [Indium phosphide]), or the like. The integrated opticalmodulation module may also include a beam spot converter that shapes abeam spot of a light to be output.

Further, it should be appreciated that the optical power adjustment unitmay be included in the optical transmission unit in the presentexemplary embodiment.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

In the present exemplary embodiment, a modified example of thewavelength-tunable light source 14 will be described. FIG. 10 is adiagram illustrating an example of a wavelength-tunable light sourceaccording to a fourth exemplary embodiment. A wavelength-tunable lightsource 20 illustrated in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which theoptical branching unit 3 of the wavelength-tunable light source 14 isreplaced with an optical branching unit 7. The optical branching unit 7includes a collimator lens 7A, an isolator 7B, a collimator lens 7C, anisolator 7D, and a coupler 7E. The coupler 7E branches the light L1output from the SOA 2A into the output light L2 and the localoscillation light LO. The light L1 is transmitted through the collimatorlens 7A, the isolator 7B and the condenser lens 4, and is output to theoptical transmission unit. The local oscillation light LO is transmittedthrough the collimator lens 7C, the isolator 7D and the condenser lens5, and is output to the optical transmission unit. Because otherconfigurations of the wavelength-tunable light source 20 are the same asthose of the wavelength-tunable light source 14, descriptions of thosewill be omitted.

As described above, compared to the wavelength-tunable light source 14,the wavelength-tunable light source 20 can branch the light output fromthe optical output unit 2 without using the prism or the mirror.

Further, another modified example of the wavelength-tunable light source14 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another exampleof a wavelength-tunable light source according to a fourth exemplaryembodiment. A wavelength-tunable light source 21 illustrated in FIG. 11has a configuration in which the optical branching unit 3 of thewavelength-tunable light source 14 is replaced with an optical branchingunit 8 and the condenser lenses 4 and 5 of the wavelength-tunable lightsource 14 are removed.

The optical branching unit 8 includes an optical fiber array 8A and thecoupler 7E. The coupler 7E branches the light L1 output from the SOA 2Ainto the output light L2 and the local oscillation light LO, just likethe wavelength-tunable light source 20. In the optical fiber array 8A,the optical fiber 4A and the optical fiber 5A are fixed in parallel. Theoutput light L2 is incident on an end face of the optical fiber 4A andthe local oscillation light LO is incident on an end face of the opticalfiber 5A. Because other configurations of the wavelength-tunable lightsource 21 are the same as those of the wavelength-tunable light source14, descriptions of those will be omitted.

As described above, the wavelength-tunable light source 21 has thesimple configuration in which the lights branched by the coupler 7E aredirectly incident on the optical fibers. In sum, since thewavelength-tunable light source can be achieved without the prism, themirror, the collimator lens, and the isolator, the wavelength-tunablelight source 21 can be miniaturized and manufactured at a low cost withsimple manufacturing process as compared with the wavelength-tunablelight sources 14 and 20.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

A pluggable optical module according to a fifth exemplary embodimentwill be described. It has been described that the optical transmissionunit 12, the optical modulation units 6 and 17A described above areconfigured as the general Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator thatincludes two arms. In contrast, in the present exemplary embodiment, anoptical transmission unit 70 including the Mach-Zehnder type opticalmodulator and capable of outputting the QPSK optical signal, which isused as the optical transmission unit 12, the optical modulation units 6and 17A.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration ofthe optical transmission unit 70 according to the fifth exemplaryembodiment. The optical transmission unit 70 includes an opticalmodulator 71 and a driver circuit 72. The optical modulator 71 has aconfiguration in which a plurality of general Mach-Zehnder type opticalmodulators are combined. In this example, the optical modulator 71 has aconfiguration in which two Mach-Zehnder type optical modulators MZ1 andMZ2 are combined. The Mach-Zehnder type optical modulators MZ1 and MZ2are arranged in parallel and each have the same configuration as theoptical transmission unit 12 as described in the first exemplaryembodiment.

The output light L2 is input to an optical waveguide WG11. The opticalwaveguide WG11 is branched into an optical waveguide WG12 and an opticalwaveguide WG13. The optical waveguide WG12 is connected with an input ofthe Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator MZ1 and the optical waveguideWG13 is connected with an input of the Mach-Zehnder type opticalmodulator MZ2.

An output of the Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator MZ1 is connectedwith an optical waveguide WG14 and an output of the Mach-Zehnder typeoptical modulator MZ2 is connected with an optical waveguide WG15. Theoptical waveguide WG14 and the optical waveguide WG15 join together andare connected with an optical waveguide WG16. The optical signal LS1 isoutput from the optical waveguide WG16 to the outside.

Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the phase modulationareas PMA and PMB disposed on two optical waveguides of the Mach-Zehndertype optical modulator MZ1 are referred to as phase modulation areas PM1and PM2, respectively. The phase modulation areas PMA and PMB disposedon two optical waveguides of the Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator MZ2are referred to as phase modulation areas PM3 and PM4, respectively.Additionally, phase modulation areas PM5 and PM6 are disposed on theoptical waveguides WG14 and WG15, respectively.

The driver circuit 72 can control a modulation operation of the opticalmodulator 71 and also control a bias point of the optical modulator 71by applying a bias voltage to each of the phase modulation areas PM1 toPM6. Further, the driver circuit 72 can modulate the output light L2 tothe optical signal LS1 by applying the modulation signal to each of thephase modulation areas PM1 to PM6.

For example, the driver circuit 72 applies either of a pair ofdifferential signals to the phase modulation areas PM1 and PM2.Specifically, for example, a normal phase modulation signal DS1_I isapplied to the phase modulation area PM1, and a reversed phasemodulation signal DS1_R that is a signal generated by reversing thenormal phase modulation signal DS1_I is applied to the phase modulationarea PM2. Therefore, it is possible to generate a phase difference of180 degrees between an optical signal modulated by the phase modulationarea PM1 and an optical signal modulated by the phase modulation areaPM2.

Further, for example, the driver circuit 72 applies either of a pair ofdifferential signals to each of the phase modulation areas PM3 and PM4.Specifically, for example, a normal phase modulation signal DS2_I isapplied to the phase modulation area PM3, and a reversed phasemodulation signal DS2_R that is a signal generated by reversing thenormal phase modulation signal DS2_I is applied to the phase modulationarea PM4. Therefore, it is possible to generate a phase difference of180 degrees between an optical signal modulated by the phase modulationarea PM3 and an optical signal modulated by the phase modulation areaPM4.

Furthermore, for example, the driver circuit 72 applies either of a pairof differential signals to each of the phase modulation areas PM5 andPM6. Specifically, for example, a normal phase modulation signal DS3_Iis applied to the phase modulation area PM5, and a reversed phasemodulation signal DS3_R that is a signal generated by reversing thenormal phase modulation signal DS3_I is applied to the phase modulationarea PM6. Therefore, it is possible to generate a phase difference of 90degrees between an optical signal modulated by the phase modulation areaPM5 and an optical signal modulated by the phase modulation area PM6.

As described above, when a phase of the optical signal output from thephase modulation area PM5 is 0° or 180°, a phase of the optical signaloutput from the phase modulation area PM6 is 90° or 270°. As a result,it can be understood that the optical signal LS1 output from the opticaltransmission unit 70 is the QPSK optical signal that is modulated withthe quadrature phase shift keying method.

In the present configuration, the bias voltages applied to the phasemodulation areas PM1 to PM6 of the optical modulation unit 71 may bedetermined by predetermined control means (e.g. the opticalcommunication apparatus 93 or the control unit 16).

As described above, according to the present configuration, it ispossible to achieve the pluggable optical module capable of outputtingthe QPSK signal.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the optical transmission unitoutputting the QPSK signal has been described and, however, it is merelyan example. For example, it should be appreciated that an opticaltransmission unit using other modulation methods such as DP-QPSK and QAMcan be appropriately applied to the pluggable optical module.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplaryembodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

For example, in the exemplary embodiments described above, theconfiguration in which the optical output unit and the optical receptionunit are separately disposed has been described, and, however, theconfiguration is not limited to this configuration. For example, theoptical output unit and the optical reception unit may be configured asa single integrated optical module and the output light and the localoscillation light may be incident on the integrated optical module.Further, the light L1 may be input to the integrated optical module fromthe optical output unit and the light L1 may be branched into the outputlight and the local oscillation light in the integrated optical module.In sum, the integrated optical module may include a function of theoptical branching unit in the wavelength-tunable light source describedabove.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, although it is describedthat the wavelength-tunable light source, the optical transmission unit,the optical reception unit, and the optical power adjustment unit arecontrolled in response to the control signal CON output from the opticalcommunication apparatus 93, it is merely an example. The pluggableoptical module may autonomously control the wavelength-tunable lightsource, the optical transmission unit, the optical reception unit, andthe optical power adjustment unit without depending on the controlsignal received from the outside.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the communication of thecontrol signal through the pluggable electric connector 11 can beachieved by applying technologies such as a MDIO (Management DataInput/Output) or an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the power of the opticalsignal output from the optical transmission unit or the optical poweradjustment unit may be monitored and, for example, the optical outputpower of the wavelength-tunable light source or the optical poweradjustment operation of the optical power adjustment unit may befeedback-controlled. In this case, a part of the light output from theoptical transmission unit or the optical power adjustment unit isbranched by an optical branching unit or the like and the branched lightis monitored by a light receiving device such as a photodiode. Then, thecontrol unit can feedback-control the optical output power of thewavelength-tunable light source or the optical power adjustmentoperation of the optical power adjustment unit by notifying the controlunit of the monitoring result. Note that this feedback control may beperformed in response to a command from the optical communicationapparatus 93, or the pluggable optical module may autonomously performthis feedback control.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, although it is describedthat the optical reception unit 13 receives the DP-QPSK optical signal,it is merely an example. For example, the optical reception unit 13 maybe configured to be capable of receiving other modulation signal such asQAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation).

In the exemplary embodiments described above, although it has beendescribed that the wavelength-tunable light source includes the SOA andthe wavelength filter, other configurations can be adopted as long asthese can function as a wavelength-tunable light source. For example,the wavelength-tunable light source may be includes a DFB (DistributedFeedBack) laser array and selection unit that selects a laser lightsamong laser lights output from a plurality of DFB lasers included in theDFB laser array. Further, instead of the DFB (Distributed FeedBack)laser array, a laser array including another type of laser such as a DBR(Distributed Bragg Reflector) laser may be used.

The present invention has been described above with reference to theexemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to theabove exemplary embodiments.

The configuration and details of the present invention can be modifiedin various ways which can be understood by those skilled in the artwithin the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 CARRIER-   2 OPTICAL OUTPUT UNIT-   2A SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER (SOA)-   2B WAVELENGTH FILTER-   3, 7, 8 OPTICAL BRANCHING UNITS-   3A, 7A, 7C COLLIMATOR LENSES-   3B, 7B, 7D ISOLATORS-   3C PRISM-   3D MIRROR-   4, 5 CONDENSER LENSES-   4A, 5A OPTICAL FIBERS-   6, 17A OPTICAL MODULATION UNITS-   7E OPTICAL COUPLER-   8A OPTICAL FIBER ARRAY-   11 PLUGGABLE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR-   12, 17, 18, 70 OPTICAL TRANSMISSION UNITS-   12A, 71 OPTICAL MODULATORS-   12B, 72 DRIVER CIRCUITS-   13 OPTICAL RECEPTION UNITS-   14, 20, 21 WAVELENGTH-TUNABLE LIGHT SOURCES-   15A, 15B PLUGGABLE OPTICAL RECEPTORS-   16 CONTROL UNIT-   17B, 19 OPTICAL POWER ADJUSTMENT UNITS-   31, 32 POLARIZATION BEAM SPLITTERS (PBSS)-   33, 34 90-DEGREE HYBRIDS-   35 DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR (DSP)-   41 TO 44 OPTICAL/ELECTRICAL CONVERTERS (O/ES)-   51 TO 54 ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTERS (ADCS)-   91, 92OPTICAL FIBERS-   93 OPTICAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS-   100, 200, 300 PLUGGABLE OPTICAL MODULES-   WG1 TO WG4, WG11 TO WG16 OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES-   1000 OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM-   CON, CON1 TO CON4 CONTROL SIGNALS-   DAT DATA SIGNAL-   DS1_I, DS2_I, DS3_I NORMAL PHASE MODULATION SIGNALS-   DS1_R, DS2_R, DS3_R REVERSED PHASE MODULATION SIGNALS-   L1 LIGHT-   L2 OUTPUT LIGHT-   LO LOCAL OSCILLATION LIGHT-   LS1, LS2 OPTICAL SIGNALS-   MOD MODULATION SIGNAL-   MZ1, MZ2 MACH-ZEHNDER TYPE OPTICAL MODULATORS-   PMA, PMB, PM1 TO PM6PHASE MODULATION AREAS-   SIG_M1, SIG_M2 MODULATION SIGNALS-   VBISA BIAS VOLTAGE

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pluggable optical module comprising: a pluggable electric connector configured to be insertable into and removable from an optical communication apparatus, and to be capable of communicating a modulation signal and a data signal with the optical communication apparatus; a wavelength-tunable light source configured to output an output light and a local oscillation light that have a predetermined wavelength; an optical transmitter configured to output a first optical signal generated by modulating the output light in response to the modulation signal; an optical receiver configured to demodulate a second optical signal received by using the local oscillation light to the data signal and output the demodulated data signal; and a pluggable optical receptor configured in such a manner that a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber are insertable into and removable from the pluggable optical receptor, and configured to be capable of outputting the first optical signal to the first optical fiber and transferring the second optical signal received thorough the second optical fiber to the optical receiver, wherein the wavelength-tunable light source comprises: a light source configured to output light; an isolator configured to transmit the light from the light source; and an optical splitter configured to split the light from the isolator into the output light and the local oscillation light. 